Chixe

Moments like this.

And right now, though much of our stuff is packed in cardboard and paper and bubble wrap since the movers have been here for the first two of five days, I can turn around in my computer chair and see the two cats, crashed in harmony on the ironing board behind me. They are usually not "in harmony" so anytime they are is a happy time. I'd get my camera, but they're both soooo stressed and needy right now that if I move from the room they'll be on my heels like little dogs, and then the photo op will disappear anyway.

Driving my Mustang always produces happiness. I like to drive period, but the Mustang is just fun.

Hearing my two daughters getting along is good for a smile, rare occurrence that it is.

Yeah I would have to say, seeing my kids play nicely together always seems to do the trick. Mainly because 90% of play time is normally "MOM(DAD)! He/she's hitting me!"

Knowing that I made my mom smile.

Seeing my brother laugh.

Realizing that I get to work with Tyme and Mike.

Seeing that money in the bank account (hey wasn't going to be all mushy).

Sushi.

Beautiful women.

Seeing my family in good health.
The trust between a teenager and me.
The color green.
The smell of garden soil.
Strong coffee.
My dog, who is quite old and rather dumb, but his very presence in my life makes me happy.

Being surrounded by friends who won't turn tail and run at the slightest hint of trouble.

Being surrounded with all the big boys toys that I wanted and could finally afford.

Being successful at the end of the road after pulling off things that most people would have given up upon.

Being with someone you love, snuggling under the blanket on a cold winter night talking about everything and nothing at all.

Sitting under the night sky underneath the stars on a cool night pondering the universe in all it's infinite glory.

Sex (I'm actually surprised no one mentioned this).

Having time to read a book not related to school.

Sitting around at a Spanish cafe not far from my home with a few friends eating omelette's, drinking sangria and talking for hours.

Snowboarding or surfing, which these days is a thing of the past.

I agree with sushi, really good sushi or sashimi makes my day.

Really good sex could do that as well I guess but I can live without the sex as long as I can have the sushi.

Finishing a good book in bed on a rainy day.

Putting it down and knowing I own the book, and it's mine, and I can revisit the people in it anytime I want, and it will never go away.

Visiting Borders, taking a pile of books, and sitting down on the carpeted floor to read.

Judo.

Finishing a site redesign and having your frens go, "Wow I love the way it looks now!"

Finishing a manuscript and having a feedbacker say to you: "It's really changed the way I think about ___"

Buying a new header in the Chawlk store. Weird but true.

New shoes. Did I just say that?

Hanging out with friends I don't see that often.

Exploring something new that I'm really interested in.

Putting together a design I'm happy with off the bat.

When my dog sleeps with her head laying on me.

If possible, being healthy!

Being in love with, and being loved by, someone who is a wonderful, good person.

Having a loving mother who I consider more a friend than a parent. (If she'd drop the pushy religious stuff, we'd be even closer, and I'd be even happier!)

Having sweet friends who live all around the world.

Sex.

Being a geek girl and a tomboy.

Creating a piece of artwork or writing something that I feel satisfied with.

Having someone tell me that something I created meant something to them.

Playing my fiddle or singing.

You can play a fiddle, Lelia!?

You can play a fiddle, Lelia!?

I can, but not as well as I used to. I used to be tutored in it, but when I moved to Australia, I couldn't take my fiddle with me (just had too many other things that were more important to carry across the pond). So I've only recently gotten it back, after having not played for nearly two years. I remember how to play a lot more than I thought I would, but I'm far from good. Working on it!

@Lelia: You bring your fiddle, I'll bring mine. We'll do a duet. I think I can chalk that up for something that makes me happy too.

Playing a musical instrument or singing together with someone and getting it right.

The early morning sun.
Silence
The sound of a well played violin
chocolate
Having something to look forward to

I also believe that I make myself happy and don't need outside things to make me so. It's a mental choice and attitude. I'm happy if I choose to be.

Plus some more chocolate...

@Lelia: You bring your fiddle, I'll bring mine. We'll do a duet. I think I can chalk that up for something that makes me happy too.

I didn't know you played! For how long?

knowing that i did my best in whatever that matters to me.

food i like.

not getting fat.

being surrounded by friends and family.

meeting new people.

shoes.

clothes.

learning something new.

My friend, who writes me via ICQ or even rings on the mobile.

What else...

Hey, this question is really interesting! :)
I'll think a bit more.

@Lelia: Since I was 8. Technically it's the violin, but it'll do in a pinch. Though, I haven't played in a long time though.

Right now, finally installing an e-commerce package having been struggling with it for two days!

I'll think of some more.

This is like the never-ending answer... It could just go on for a lifetime. Maybe it should just go on for a lifetime.

New York is full of terrible smells, so I'm always very appreciative of a nice smell or a smell that brings back a happy memory.

The daffodils in the park that are just now beginning to open. That's happy-making.

Haiku. Music. Dancing.

Chocolate Malts.

I like watching bumble bees as they sort-of fly. Similarly, I really like seeing the fireflies on early summer nights.

I love hot chocolate on a winter's night and a cold beer on a summer's night.

I love a hot shower or an exuberantly bubbly bubble bath.

I can lend you my violin man. ;)

Let's see. Things that make me happy are:

Sun-dresses (the worlds GREATEST invention).
A great cup (or two) of coffee.
Mixing great music.
The pets being retarded.
Sleep.
reading great writing.

Paying my bills on time. :-)

Seeing my child overwhelmed with excitement, the smell of rubber bouncy balls and playdough, 80's music, petting animals, Peeps and pizza rolls, thunderstorms, the familiar smell of my mother when I lean in to hug her, a clean home, warm wind, pudgy babies, music boxes, lip gloss on chapped lips, lotion on dry skin, exfoliating with salt scrub, hot showers, singing, making noises, my boyfriend smiling at me, and moments of complete silence.

Ninjas.

My son's laughter.

My wife's devilish laughter.

A cat purring and luxuriating like a hedonist on my lap or next to me on the couch.

You guys made me cry. I love to know that the people in the world are so sweet. This thread makes me happy.

I love you all!

This is sort of a complicated question for me, but I'll give it a go. Maybe I'll write about it on my blog as to why it's complicated.

My dog Ralphie. He always knows when I'm having a bad moment, a bad day, or just need cheering up. When he senses this, he comes over to me and gives me a kiss, lays his head on me, or demand that I play with him.

Spending time with my grandpa. I haven't been very close with any member of my family in a really long time. Since I've moved back to New York, he's been finding odd jobs for me to do around his house for him and my grandma. We've become a lot closer because of this.

Spending time with my parents and sisters. I never thought that that would make me happy, but a lot of things have changed in my life recently. I spend a lot of time with my mom cooking and gardening. My dad and I take a lot of rides together, even though we sit in silence most of the time. My sisters and I watch a lot of movies, we share books, we go for bike rides, and we just hang out more.

When one of my favorite songs plays on the radio or a cd that I haven't heard in awhile.

Finding a new song that I connect with. Especially ones that remind me of happier moments.

Talking with my friends and making new ones. I've always been an introvert, but lately I've been more outgoing and I've met a lot of great people.

Writing and painting. I've been trying to find ways to express and release my emotions that aren't destructive. I love being able to express whatever it is I'm feeling with words or with some paint and a brush. When I'm having one of those days, nothing makes me happier than being able to release it in a way that's constructive.

well for starters (since im eating lunch right now): how damn good lean cuisines taste.

when my cat nuzzles his head right between my boobs and flops down in my lap...

leveling my 65 gnome warlock on World of Warcraft, and getting pretty gear to dress her in.

white sheets and bay windows

big great danes

ice cold micro-brew beer

feeding my boyfriends bait fish to the birds nearby =)

feeling like a mermaid when i'm scuba diving

my crochet emerald green bikini.

living in florida

the sound of my moms laugh

how my dad sneezes

my boyfriends jack Nicholson "The Shining" smile, and how it freaks me out.

when i'm visiting my parents and i flop down on their bed, i can always tell who's side is who by how the pillows smell. My dad's side is always sweet like redkin shampoo, and my mom's side always has the feather down pillows.

St.Augustine, Florida...and all the memories i have made there

feeling sexy

when my boyfriend looks at me like i am the most amazing thing in the world.

hot sex

Also: the smell of my Bubbie's kitchen
bright red tulips, daisies and lemon yellow daffodils in bloom
having the time and silence to take a short nap
being in the public library or a bookstore
seeing tree buds in early spring
crossing stuff off my daily list
accidently finding a really good store or garage sale
hearing my son sing the Four Questions at the Seder
dirt under my fingernails as evidence I was gardening
being able to hug my parents
finishing a craft project that I'm proud of

Many things...

Complex, brilliant music
Learning new things
Leading a fulfilling life
Good company (in friends and family)
Tasty food

There are others, but for the most part, I'm pretty easy to please.